New Shade-Loving Perennial Varieties for 2013

'Thunderbird' Foamybells

Sometimes we run into a new perennial such as 'Thunderbird' foamybells that's so colorful it's almost hard to describe. This amazing introduction produces beautiful, finely cut, golden leaves with brick-red centers and golden veins. What's more, in late spring, the plants send up pink buds that open to pinkish-white flowers. 'Thunderbird' thrives in light shade (some sun intensifies the leaf color) and is resistant to heat and humidity.

'Ballerina Ruffles' Hellebore

Pirouetting into bloom at the first sign of spring, 'Ballerina Ruffles' hellebore features 3-inch-wide, fully double pink flowers that retain their color for up to 12 weeks. 'Ballerina Ruffles' is a new introduction that will slowly spread through your shade garden. It's also deer-resistant, which makes it an excellent choice for woodland gardens.

'Fire Alarm' Coralbells

Who needs flowers to brighten the shade when you can use the flaming-red leaves of 'Fire Alarm' coralbells? This vibrant newcomer has such tough, leathery foliage that hot weather won't wash out its color (although a little sun does help intensify the leaf tone). In summer, 'Fire Alarm' sends up graceful spikes of small white flowers that contrast perfectly with the leaves. 'Fire Alarm' is also tough enough to tolerate high humidity and drought, making it a versatile groundcover for much of the country.

'Splish Splash' Barrenwort

This spring, be sure to put 'Splish Splash' barrenwort on your must-have list. It makes an extraordinary groundcover, especially in dry, shady locations. The leaves of 'Splish Splash' are attractively splattered with green and bronze, and in the spring they are topped with sprays of pretty white blooms.

'Shell Shocked' Ginger

The evergreen, pewter-color leaves of 'Shell Shocked' asarum are so round and pretty they almost look like silver coins scattered through your garden. Growing just 6 inches tall, 'Shell Shocked' makes an extraordinary groundcover for shady spaces. 'Shell Shocked' is a form of Chinese panda ginger that sports black-and-white velvety flowers in April and May.

'Circus' Coralbells

One of the secrets to having a colorful garden all summer is to choose plants that put on an ever-changing show of foliage or flower color. 'Circus' coralbells is a great example. In the spring, it has lovely peach-color leaves with deep red veins. As summer temperatures rise, the red veins remain while the leaves slowly turn chartreuse with highlights of silver. In summer, it shoots up reddish-purple stems that bear small, bright pink bell-shape flowers.

'Tokai Rinpa' Lilyturf

Lilyturf has long been a staple in Southern gardens. But now there's a stunning new variety that puts older forms to shame. 'Tokai Rinpa' is a Japanese import that has gorgeous dark green foliage marked with bright, irregular bands of gold. It also has a spreading habit that makes it an excellent groundcover. In late summer, the plants show off short spikes of lavender flowers.

'Pear Crisp' Coralbells

The frilly, finely cut lime green foliage of 'Pear Crisp' coralbells is a refreshing sight during the dog days of summer. This charming new coralbells looks terrific all season long, no matter how hot or humid the weather becomes. 'Pear Crisp' is a compact plant, growing about 7 inches tall, so it works as well in containers as it does in gardenbeds. It also sends up nodding bells of white flowers in midsummer that are prized by hummingbirds and butterflies. Leaf color intensifies with a few hours of morning sunlight each day.

Merlin Hellebore

The dark foliage and stems of Merlin hellebore provide a striking backdrop for its outward-facing, light pink blooms that mature to a rich cranberrycolor. Merlin is one of the newest members of the Gold Collection family of hellebores that are grown vegetatively instead of from seed, making the plants consistent in size and color. Like other hellebores, Merlin blooms in the late winter and early spring and is deer-resistant.

'Afterglow' Hosta

Big, bold, and bicolor: That's how we describe 'Afterglow' hosta. This hardy new perennial has dark green heart-shape leaves that are edged with a wide yellow margin. It's a striking combination that stands out in the garden, especially because 'Afterglow' is a jumbo variety growing 2 feet tall and almost 4 feet wide. In early summer, each plant sends up stalks of pale lavender trumpet-shape blooms.

'Diamonds are Forever' Hosta

There aren't many indestructible garden plants, but 'Diamonds are Forever' hosta comes pretty close. It's a gorgeous new variety that's as pretty as it is tough. Each dark green leaf has a broad, snow-white edge that will add sparkle to your shady borders. In late summer, it produces graceful stalks topped with purple bell-shape flowers.

'Humpback Whale' Hosta

Once you spot a 'Humpback Whale' hosta, you won't be happy until you have one in your garden. That's because this jumbo variety can grow 3 feet tall and 7 feet wide, producing unforgettable big, blue, corrugated, heart-shape leaves. Developed by the famous hosta breeder, the late Mildred Seaver, 'Humpback Whale' was once hard to find but is being introduced nationally this year. If you have the space, make room for 'Humpback Whale' in your garden.

'Pocketful of Sunshine' Hosta

Electrify dark spots in your landscape with 'Pocketful of Sunshine' hosta. In the spring, this little gem quickly forms a compact clump of chartreuse leaves in spring that turn a lovely yellow in summer -- all while being attractively edged in dark green. The leaves are also cupped and slightly corrugated. As the season progresses, the plant sends up spikes of light lavender blooms. 'Pocketful of Sunshine' makes a great edging plant for a shaded garden path or in containers.

'Rubies and Ruffles' Hosta

Most gardeners treasure hostas for their beautiful foliage, but 'Rubies and Ruffles' has something extra to offer: bright red stems. Each ruby-red stem supports a bright green leaf with creamy-white, ruffled edges. In late summer, 'Rubies and Ruffles' hosta becomes even more colorful, sending up purple flower stalks covered with pale purple blooms.

'Sparkler' Hosta

Sometimes the smaller a hosta is, the more impact it can provide. Take 'Sparkler', for example: It grows just 6 inches high but still packs a punch with its slender dark green leaves with brushstrokes of white down the center of each one. 'Sparkler' is ideal for rock gardens, border edging, and containers. And don't let its small size fool you -- it's just as tough as any of its bigger cousins.